Horry Electric Cooperative’s WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification) group is collecting school supplies for local elementary school children.
Collecting ‘Back to School’ supplies is an annual project for the group and this is the eighth year they have collected items ranging from pens, pencils and scissors to notebooks, notepaper and rulers.
“Two schools are selected as recipients each year, ” says Susan Brown, executive assistant for the cooperative. “This year,” she reports, “our collected supplies will go to students attending Homewood Elementary and Loris Elementary schools.” The supplies collected will be divided evenly between the two schools.
Members and others in the community interested in donating school supplies are asked to please drop them off at the Cooperative’s main office on Cultra Road in Conway.
Donations will be accepted until Friday, August 7, 2015.
WIRE was created as a nonprofit organization to foster interest in and understanding of the rural electric program and to improve the quality of life in rural areas. The efforts of WIRE members go beyond scholarships and fundraising to touch the lives of many people across the Palmetto State.
WIRE dues are $7.00 per year. If you are a member of Horry Electric Cooperative, you are invited to join! For more information, contact Susan Brown, WIRE coordinator, at 369-6323 or susan.brown@horryelectric.com
Energy use and costs typically rise as the mercury rises, but there are a number of simple, economical ways to boost comfort, save energy, and cut electric bills. Most of these energy-saving steps can pay for themselves relatively quickly. For example, weather-stripping and caulking are inexpensive ways to boost efficiency and cut energy costs year round.
A substantial portion of total residential energy costs are spent cooling homes. Reduce energy costs and ready the air conditioner with a cleaning and tune-up. Clean or change filters monthly during the cooling season. An efficiently running cooling system will save dollars. If you’re purchasing a new unit, check the efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER number the more efficient the air conditioner. For greater operating efficiency, install unit in a shady area, and keep free of plant overgrowth and debris.
Most of summer heat buildup in homes comes through windows. Simply closing the curtains, blinds and shades can cut this heat gain by up to 40 percent, and save big dollars in cooling costs. Installing awnings or shutters over windows exposed to direct sunlight can reduce indoor heat gain by up to 70 percent. Outdoor landscaping that includes shade trees and insulating foundation plants can also cut energy costs.
Ventilate the attic and check insulation. Adequately sized vents and/or an attic fan can help keep hot air from building up. If your attic has less than 6 to 8 inches of insulation, consider adding more. Proper attic insulation can save up to 30 percent of your cooling bill. Be sure the insulation doesn’t block vents or cover exhaust fans.
Another inexpensive way to keep cool and cut air conditioning costs is to use ceiling and oscillating fans to create a “wind chill” effect. The moving air makes the temperature feel cooler, and allows a higher air conditioner thermostat setting while maintaining cooling comfort. For each 1-degree increase in the thermostat setting, cooling costs can be trimmed by about 3 percent.
Follow these operating tips for greater energy efficiency and reduction in air conditioning costs:
Install a timer or programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature automatically. Leave it on a higher temperature while you’re away, and set it to cool the house half an hour before you return home.
Turn off unnecessary lights and television sets you’re not watching. Don’t leave computers on when not in use.
Make sure heat-producing appliances like televisions and lamps are away from the thermostat. They will raise the temperature at the thermostat and cause the air conditioner to run when it is not needed.
Plan to do hot work – washing and drying clothes, cooking and baking – during cooler morning and evening hours.
Keep your kitchen cooler by cooking in a microwave oven or grilling outdoors.
Increased summer electric demand not only can place a strain on budgets, it can place a serious strain on your home’s electrical system – a dangerous shock and fire hazard. Flickering or dimming lights, T. V. or computer monitors, or frequent circuit breaker trips are signs of an overloaded electrical system or faulty wiring that should be checked by a professional.
Homeowners can take simple electrical safety measures that can prevent overloaded outlets and serious damage and injury. Avoid using extension cords, and don’t use multiple plugs in outlets. Check plugs and electric cords for fraying or cracks, and never run cords across high-traffic areas, behind curtains or baseboards, or underneath rugs or furniture.
Source: Energy Education Council @http://efficiencyresource.org/
James P. “Pat” Howle, CEO, column from the July 2015 edition of South Carolina Living magazine.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives® is the nationwide branding alliance created especially for and adopted by electric cooperatives in the late 90s. It is a unifying symbol of our common four core values; innovation, accountability, integrity and commitment to community.
When your co-op joined the ranks of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives® nationwide branding alliance on Jan. 1, 1998, we were one of 300 participating electric cooperatives in 32 states delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 16 million members every day.
Today, there are 751 electric cooperatives in 46 states participating in the network collectively delivering on the commitments of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community to 32 million members.
Our history is our future
The Horry Electric name, with Willie Wiredhand right in the center, is one of the most easily recognized symbols of your electric co-op in our community. Willie was the unifying symbol of all the electric cooperatives in the U.S.A. for a number of years. He was the ‘spokesplug’ for the national network of electric cooperatives. He officially retired from the national network several years ago, but you still see him around some co-ops – including Horry Electric.
Horry Electric will be celebrating 75 years of service in January. Organized for and by people right here in Horry County, our co-op is deeply rooted in the community. Like all cooperative businesses, we operate according to the core principles and values first set out in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England.
Members are directly impacted by at least five of the seven principles. Voluntary and open membership, democratic member control and member’s economic participation truly set us apart from other types of businesses. In everything we do, maintaining the cooperative’s autonomy and independence, as well as having a concern for the community by working for sustainable development are among the priorities set by the management team of your Cooperative and by the members of your board of trustees.
Alliance makes us stronger
The alliance with sister cooperatives and the addition of the Touchstone Energy brand to our existing local, well established presence in 1998 is an excellent example of cooperation among cooperatives, which is another guiding principle. From our history, we know we are much more effective with accomplishing goals by working together with sister cooperatives on a regional and national basis. Improved efficiency and cost effectiveness are other benefits of working together.
Being a part of the Touchstone Energy Cooperative network is a big benefit to our co-op, our members and our communities. It enhances our local connections and has given us the ability to follow through on another very important guiding principle— education, training and information. The list of resources and tools available through Touchstone Energy is long. You can learn more by visiting us online at HorryElectric.com and TogetherWeSave.com.
Horry Electric Cooperative is here for the long haul. You can count on us to look out for you and be your advocate. It matters to us, because we work and live here, too. The majority of us are members ourselves. What impacts you, also impacts us.
Stay tuned as we gear up to celebrate 75 years in Horry County and 18 years as a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
The July 2015 edition of South Carolina Living magazine will be delivered to the mailboxes of members and subscribers mid-month, but it’s available online NOW!
Improved efficiency and cost effectiveness are benefits of working with sister cooperatives on a regional and national basis. Read the CEO comments to learn more.
Horry Electric local highlights include:
CEO Column: Here for the long haul; National network big benefit
Horry News: Mobile apps; Surge Guard; Horry Extra
Miracle on Highway 67; Food hub could spur agribusiness
Co-op Connections: A personal touch with your cars and such
Install a timer or programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature automatically. Leave it on a higher temperature while you’re away, and set it to cool the house half an hour before you return home.
